Former Haringey Council leader Peray Ahmet has publicly endorsed Andy Burnham as the next Prime Minister, hailing his election as MP as “brilliant news for all of us”. Burnham, the former Greater Manchester mayor, secured the Makerfield parliamentary by-election last Thursday and is widely considered a frontrunner to succeed Keir Starmer.
Ahmet criticises Starmer over local election losses
Ms Ahmet previously criticised Starmer for the “absolute disaster” her party endured in the local elections on May 7. The elections saw Ms Ahmet lose her own council seat and Haringey Labour relinquish control of the local authority for the first time in over 55 years, paving the way for the borough's inaugural Green Party administration.
Last Thursday, Ms Ahmet shared a photograph on X featuring herself with Mr Burnham during his campaign, tagging current Haringey Labour leader Ibrahim Ali and including the hashtags "#VoteAndy #ForUs". In another X post on Friday, Ahmet said she was “so happy to have played a tiny role” in Burnham’s election campaign.
Timing of Starmer's departure
The former Greater Manchester mayor’s by-election victory is likely to have played a major role in the timing of Starmer’s departure, an outcome Ahmet appears to have been angling for since the local elections. Speaking to the BBC three days after her historic defeat in Haringey, the former council leader was asked if she wanted the PM to keep his position. Ahmet responded, saying: “I think where we’re at at the moment, it’s not a case of if, it’s a case of when he leaves his position.”
The video received a significant backlash, with some accusing her of failing to take responsibility for her own failures. Despite these criticisms, Ahmet posted on X again on Sunday, saying: “I am an ex council leader. Ex because in May 2026 Haringey Labour lost control for the first time in 55 years. This scenario was replicated all over the country. Labour lost 1,498 councillors in England alone. This turmoil is not on Andy Burnham.”
Starmer resigns, Burnham steps forward
Announcing his plans to resign as PM outside 10 Downing Street today, Starmer said: “The question my party is asking now is whether I am best placed to lead us into the next general election. I have heard the answer of my parliamentary party to that question, and I accept that answer with good grace. Every decision I have taken has been about putting the country I love first, that is why I will resign as leader of the Labour party.”
Now an MP, Andy Burnham is eligible to replace Starmer when he departs. If elected as new Labour leader, Burnham could be Prime Minister next month. In a statement reposted by Peray Ahmet on X, the newly-elected MP for Makerfield thanked the outgoing PM for his “huge service to our country”. Burnham added: “His decision marks the beginning of a transition and it is important that this process is conducted in an orderly and responsible way. I will put myself forward as part of this process.”
